Buy it cuz you like it, not cuz it makes financial sense....cuz it often doesn't. Let your things take you places more important than the things themselves.
Something else to remember: find ways to fall in love again and again with what we already own rather than chasing the high of acquiring something new.
YES - glad you added this to the discussion. This is the irony: although this clothing can't last 60 years, it can probably last 10-30 with consistent wear, but most people only get like 2 years of wear out of them cuz they're so busy buying more stuff. I'm guilty of it too at times; the struggle is real.
real talk, I've come to accept that I don't need to justify or rationalize my hobby. As long as it brings me joy and doesn't pose a financial burden on the rest of my life it's all good.
More people need to see this video. Currently we are in a fast consuming era. I am starting to realize I am buying way too much clothing and starting to pay attention to what I wear more and sell the stuff I don't have use for anymore. Sadly we do gert diminishing returns on some items we love. But that's the process of finding our own style sadly, the trial and error is the beauty of it and the satisfaction. You nailed this video David. I always think twice on a purchase and slowly realizing the meaning of need vs want. I have also learned to create and build new outfits with what I currently have and fall in love with the items I already own (there was a reason that I bought specific items in the first place).
Very well said! Need vs Want - you touched on this, and I think this is the crux of the matter. It's absolutely ok to buy stuff we want; that's part of enjoying life. But if we begin to justify things we want with faulty arguments like "this will last forever", then we have to start questioning why we want it in the first place. If our motives are healthy, why do we feel the need to justify it? Or perhaps our motives are good, but we feel unnecessary pressure from peers for the purchase to be something it isn't, in which case we just need to free ourselves.
You're absolutely right. The thing about buying less at higher quality is now I put far more effort into preserving and repairing my garments. I didn't start learning to sew until I wanted to repair my fav pair of jeans. In my grandparents day that was the norm because they couldn't afford to keep buying clothes, but today's modern fast fashion industry encourages just to consume, dispose and pollute. That also opened to door to learning to alter my own shirts and jeans to fit me exactly how I want it, not what designers want. edit: the other plus of course is higher quality garments are much easier to sell off when you do decide they are no longer for you for whatever reason.
This is such a great point! I recently started repairing my garments myself, and it has been a refreshing experience for me. Nice that it keeps the things I already have going strong so I don't have to buy new ones....And also, it slows my pace of life down, giving me space to clear my head and rest.
2nd Law of Thermodynamics - not expected when I started watching. Lots of good food for thought. I sure hope I stay the same size and can keep wearing my stuff.
But replenishing old well-made cotton clothing with new poly-blend clothing is not a fair trade, either. How much longer will certain style things still be found for sale when EVERYTHING is hoodies and athleisure? Ugh.
Yes, the Cost-per-Wear thing is mostly a smug stance for young people who think they won't gain weight or something, but it's not entirely wrong, either.
There's already a comment below about mending garments. Yes, but some fabrics lend themselves to this better than machine-washed jeans and t-shirts, obviously. I won't wear a wool suit to many functions where it wouldn't make sense, no matter how durable or more easily it can be repaired. Etc.
These talking video are your best videos fr fr But your product orientated videos are still good but your talking videos hit different. Especially enjoyed the one where you were talking something about denim being an easier or cheaper hobby than boots
Most people in this boot space are very good at rationalizing having huge collections by saying they will last me for 20 years or so and I always tell them of course you have 40 pairs they should last you that long in rotation versus the person who has one pair
Good video brother. This is a topic I've thought a lot about recently. I think we all own more than we need or even want. It's a diminishing return like many drugs sometimes with this hobby. Currently I am trying to appreciate what I have more than what I think I want. It reminds me of a verse I've meditated on recently Matthew 6: 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. God bless you man
one of my favorite verses! So much of this video was literally paraphrasing Bible verses I was thinking of as I was talking haha - Psalm 103, Matthew 6, Exodus etc. Blessings, brother!
Cool thoughts man. To be honest, I am kind of sick of hearing that quality heritage clothing will last forewer. You nailed it...we buy all this over expensive stuff because it makes us feel good. It would be an interesting subject for longer discussion btw...for exampel value of certain products (certain jeans, jackets, 2000 dollars pair of engineers...). I would really like to know how one thinks after some time about the value of those things...if the purchase was worthy in retrospective.
Thanks for the comment! I really should do a video like you're saying: items I regret and items that were worth it....Honestly, the message of this video about clothing not lasting forever has helped me be content with less expensive items actually, cuz now I focus on what I love and want, not what's "best".
This might sound conceited but I think the reason some (not all) people try really hard to justify their purchases is because they might not be in the financial situation to comfortably afford it. When I was in HS making minimum wage always tried to justify my clothing purchases be telling myself “this is higher quality” “I’m supporting local shops” etc. Now that I have a career, I still try to do my research but at the end of the day I realize that I just want to buy it because it makes me happy. There’s people who make way more than I do and wear generic clothes. It’s really all just about what your interests are.
This is so true....Sometimes we feel the need to justify when we feel that others may look at what we're doing like it's not ok....or maybe we are justifying it for our own conscience....As I said in the video, we often forget that money isn't king (not that it isn't valuable - it's an essential that's a blessing when we have it)
Honestly, probably your best video yet. Really strong overall point that needs to be said, especially for new people getting into the hobby who might spend a lot of money without realizing it. But also just really well composed from start to finish lots of good references just really well done
Thanks for this feedback, friend! I'm glad it's resonating with so many people. It was quite an epiphany for me, and when I realized it's more about enjoyment than getting my money's worth, it made the hobby so much more enjoyable....As always, I love hearing from you, and your style is absolutely top shelf. Talk to you soon!
Nothing lasts forever, but getting a decade’s wear out of a jacket is pretty good. As always, one has to consider rotation and number of wears. Ten jackets on rotation will last way longer than two jackets worn day in and day out. Counts for everything, shirts, jeans.
True words! I definitely don't regret getting any of this stuff; it really does last a longer amount of time. But the marketing shpeal about "it will last a whole lifetime" is an exaggeration haha
It sounds like you just read Ecclesiastes! But in truth, this video came out just as I was getting burned out with all this collecting. Really appreciate the wisdom! Genuinely, one leather jacket is all we need :)
Yeah, quite a few phrases in this video were paraphrases of literal specific Scripture verses in my head haha....Glad the video resonated with you! Thinking in terms of "what do I enjoy?" has helped me way more than "how do I make the most of my money?". Ironically, when I think less about the money aspect, I started spending LESS hahaha
Nothing lasts forever, but maybe it is worth getting clothes or shoes you can get a 10 or 15 years out of rather than have to replace after a season or two.
Indeed! Well said. I don't regret getting these clothes I have that last longer....I just think the marketing narrative that they'll last 50 years is a bit overblown..... But yes, good clothes are a blessing
Unless it’s made of polyester. For real, I have REI quarter zip shirts 7 years that keep looking new. Very functional but uninspiring due to the polyester.
That's true. I also have 10 year old hoodies with a lot of polyester in them. It makes them extremely durable. I have worn some of those a few hundred times (I don't have that many clothes)
I’m not alone, haha. I’m I still weaning myself off polyester fabrics but holding onto the good ones. Especially shirts and sweatpants I use at the gym. I also have golf pants I use in the summer that can’t be beat for comfort.
Now this right here is a great point! I want to do a video about "Heritage Myths", like this one. Myth: this 21oz cotton garment will last longer than this $20 Target polyester one.....Myth: tube knit tees are a vintage thing only.....That type of video
Spot on. My theory is that men are conditioned that it's not manly to care about clothing, hence why they feel the need to rationalize their interest and expenditures as opposed to just saying they like it.
This theory of yours is such a good one. Spot on - I think it probably has validity with a bunch of guys. I know I have felt that way before. Nowadays I feel less need to justify it, but it took me several years to settle.
ooooo I need to check that book out - I've actually been thinking about this recently, that neither socialism nor capitalism are completely good, and that either of them can work well or horribly, depending on what personalities are running things.
